No. 2 Centennial advanced in the first round of the 4A-3A, Region IV girls soccer playoffs by shutting out host Eleanor Roosevelt of Prince George's County, 5-0, yesterday.
Kelly Butler recorded a hat trick to lead the Eagles (12-1, 6-1), who were forced to play without co-captain Natalie Rich. Rich was given a red card in last week's game against Glenelg and not allowed to play.
"I wasn't totally happy with our play on defense, but we had enough fire power on offense to make up the difference," said Centennial coach Rick Pizarro.
Centennial took 23 shots on goal and kept the ball on its offensive half for most of the game. Vicky Brunt, the team's leading scorer, picked up her 12th goal of the season on a penalty kick, and freshman Michelle Clare got her 10th.
"We were missing Natalie [Rich], so I had to play up top," Brunt said. "We played well and we passed well, but we missed a lot of opportunities."
It was the sixth straight shutout for goalie Laura Bradburn and the Eagles' seventh of the year. Freshman Rima Sidhu also has contributed in goal in a reserve role.
"I still want to improve our defense, and I want us to play a cleaner game," Pizarro said. "Only a few of the girls will go out and make a clean tackle."
Centennial has outscored its opponents, 56-12.
"We played a defensive formation with more midfielders," Clare said. "We have to play our best and try to get to the ball and dominate."